Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi 

I was wondering about bent pins or an out of shape HS too so bought a new balance assembly; unless the new balance is faulty.

I marked the balance wheel so that I know where the impulse jewel is when I replace it. So, I know the impulse jewel is at least in the right direction.

One thing is bothering me about the balance: It doesn't turn all that easily all the time.

BTW - I've tried lubrication of the pallet stones and the balance.

It's a mystery...

Dave

Posted

Check for bent pivots and make sure the end stone are fitted correctly.  Flat sides should be  towards the pivots.

Posted

The pivots aren't bent but I've not checked the end stones. I hate Novodiac springs...LOL

I'll check that though. I'm also going to take the pallet lever out and see if the balance swings freely. I've not tried that yet.

Thank you for your advice.

Dave

Posted

Yes sometime a Seiko balance can really act up. I have one on the bench that stubbornly stopped running while I was trying to correct the hairspring which was overlapping. I hope to eventually find what's wrong, at this time I simply don't.

Posted

The springs are a simple version of Diashock, not Novodiac. The balance ones are not difficult once you learn the right tecnique.

Posted
12 minutes ago, jdm said:

The springs are a simple version of Diashock, not Novodiac. The balance ones are not difficult once you learn the right tecnique.

...and hold your tongue in the right place...LOL

Posted

If I lie the balance cock upside down on the bench with the cock facing west the hairspring will swing freely when it is a smidgen north of the jewel assembly hole because at this point the spring is centred on the balance wheel. The HS isn't centred when the pivot is in the hole.

It's almost as if the jewel assembly holes are off by 0.5mm.

Very strange.

Maybe I should break out the old ball peen...LOL

Dave

Posted
15 hours ago, Folkvisor said:

If I lie the balance cock upside down on the bench with the cock facing west the hairspring will swing freely when it is a smidgen north of the jewel assembly hole because at this point the spring is centred on the balance wheel. The HS isn't centred when the pivot is in the hole.

Then the HS is distorted, even if it's a new one. Normally a so slight distortion is not enough to prevent it from oscillating, but as I said, these are really delicate and capricious things, ask me ho do I know.

  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Thanks for this post MikePilk, I just came across a similar problem with an Omega 1022.  The problem I had was the seconds pinion spring was bent out of shape and did not even engage with the wheel properly, so the seconds hand was not moving at all. (no power loss though :) I removed the automatic module so I could access the spring and work on it. Once I bent it back close to the right shape, I experienced the same problem you reported about power loss.  Many tweaks later, and the seconds hand is moving properly again, with amplitude back to good numbers again. Cheers
    • After cleaning up the pivots, I made bushes on the lathe. At this point I've pressed in 6 bushes (3 sets) and the wheels turn smooth. What I can also tell you, is that I'm not looking forward to final assembly. Getting the pivots aligned seems to get exponentially more difficult with each wheel that is added.
    • Islands are interesting places to live depending upon their size and other factors. This is a bigger island and it has a bridge to get there at least on one end. It's also big enough that you don't have to go someplace else to get things typically. It can be a problem if you get a job in Seattle though. Yes I've known of people who commuted from the island to Seattle for a job and I don't quite remember how many hours it took but it took a long time. So basically islands are nice if you don't have to leave very often.
    • Thanks @JohnR725! Everything you say makes a lot of sense and is encouraging to read.
    • isn't it nice to have a decent case open or when the case doesn't want to be opened? In the case of a Rolex watch that supposed to pass specific water resistant testing you probably do need to tighten the back down. But they shouldn't be tightened so much that they risk stripping the threads out. Then the other problem that comes up is the gaskets can start to disintegrate and then getting the back off can be quite a challenge unless you have a really good tool and perhaps some penetrating oil to loosen things up. Yes really nice case marking. When I was in school we were taught to mark the cases and  the American watch and clockmakers Institute even had a? So if you joined at one time they would give you an identification number. They were explaining or giving an example of if the watches ever found in you have a unique number they can perhaps figure out the history of the watch or identify the body it's attached to for instance not that that probably comes up that often. So you got a unique number and even made a special metal stamp that you can purchase. It wasn't a super big aggressive stamp but still it left a mark in the back of the case. Then I heard from people at work on Rolex watches they were using a felt pen indelible but later on they decided that was bad because apparently the ink could release  chemicals although it seems like once it's dry that shouldn't be an issue. Then of course today was nice is you can keep computer records sealed have to mark anything at all I personally find it's best to leave no reference behind that you were even there. Especially when you have a beautiful watch that has no markings at all and now it has your scribbling all over it not good typically if there is a typical and watch repair?  a lot of minor repairs you don't need to do a complete servicing. But beyond a certain point you're going to have to take apart a lot of stuff you're going to disrupt the lubrication even if it looks perfect right now and yes you might as well just go ahead the service the whole thing. also in a watch like this where a lot of things seem to be going on the complete service would be better then you'll know exactly where you stand versus dealing with unknown mysteries for prior repair.
×
×
  • Create New...